WEST

TSUNAMI WARNING ISSUED AFTER CALIFORNIA QUAKE

A tsunami warning was issued for the western coasts of America, Canada, and Mexico after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of California, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reported in an e-mail alert. “A tsunami warning is in effect for the coast areas from the Californian-Mexico border to the north tip of Vancouver Island, British Columbia inclusive,” the alert said. “It is not known – repeat not known – if a tsunami exists but a tsunami may have been generated.” People in low-lying coast areas should follow instructions from local emergency officials and anyone on beaches should move to higher ground. The tsunami threat will last for several hours, according to the e-mail alert, which was received at about 8 p.m. PST. Residents were being evacuated from low-lying areas of Crescent City last night, according to the Associated Press. The earthquake was located 300 miles northwest of San Francisco and struck at 7:51 p.m. local time, the center said.

– Bloomberg News

SOUTH

4-YEAR-OLD BOY DIES AFTER RIDE AT DISNEY WORLD

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – A 4-year-old boy died after a spin on a Walt Disney World spaceship ride so intense that some riders have been taken to the hospital with chest pain. Daudi Bamuwamye lost consciousness Monday aboard “Mission: Space,” which spins riders in a giant centrifuge that subjects them to twice the normal force of gravity. The boy’s mother carried him off the ride, and paramedics and a theme park worker tried to revive him, but he died at a hospital. An autopsy was scheduled yesterday to determine the cause of death. The sheriff’s office said the boy met the minimum 44-inch height requirement for the ride.

– Associated Press

WASHINGTON

PROMINENT SENATE REPUBLICANS: CLOSING GUANTANAMO NOT THE ANSWER

Prominent Senate Republicans said yesterday that closing the Guantanamo Bay prison will not fix an American image tarnished by allegations of American troops mistreating terrorism suspects. “To cut and run because of image problems is the wrong, wrong thing to do,” Senate Majority Leader Frist, of Tennessee, said.

Senator McCain, a Republican of Arizona, said there’s no doubt that America has an image problem because of allegations of abuse and torture at the prison in Cuba.

However, he added: “The key to this is to move the judicial process forward so that these individuals will be brought to trial for any crime that they are accused of rather than residing in Guantanamo facility in perpetuity.” A few of their GOP colleagues are raising questions about keeping the prison in Cuba open, arguing that it has given the country a bad name abroad and undermined the war on terrorism.

– Associated Press

CENTRAL AMERICAN TRADE DEAL TAKES STEP FORWARD IN SENATE

A major free-trade agreement with Central American nations moved forward in the Senate yesterday, although senators put off for another day how to deal with the sugar-industry opposition that is the biggest obstacle to passage. The Senate Finance Committee accepted one change in conjunction with the Central American Free Trade Agreement, known as CAFTA, extending to service workers a federal program to assist workers displaced by trade competition. The panel also rejected, on a 10-10 vote, a proposal by Senator Kerry, a Democrat of Massachusetts, to ensure that labor laws are enforced, and it did not take up suggested amendments to protect the sugar industry from what it perceives as threats from Central American imports. The committee later approved the package 11-8, and the House Ways and Means Committee is to take up the legislation today.

Two Democrats, Ron Wyden of Oregon and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas, voted for it, while two Republicans, Mike Crapo from the sugar-beet state of Idaho and Olympia Snowe of Maine, voted against it.

– Associated Press

SENATE GOP TURNS UP HEAT OVER BOLTON

Senate Republicans sought yesterday to increase the political heat on Democrats who have been stalling the nomination of President Bush’s choice to be U.N. ambassador. Senate Majority Leader Frist, of Tennessee, said he would schedule a vote at the end of the week to cut off debate on John R. Bolton so that the Senate can hold a final up-or-down vote on Mr. Bolton’s nomination. However, it’s not clear if Mr. Frist has enough votes to end debate. Several Democrats would have to side with all Republicans to reach the 60 votes needed to go forward.

Mr. Frist said holding a vote to end debate, even if it’s unsuccessful, will “demonstrate that the other side is unreasonably and irresponsibly filibustering this nominee.” Senate Minority Leader Reid, of Nevada, said the Senate still will be at an impasse. “As long as the White House is not allowing the information to come forward there will be no change in the vote,” Mr. Reid said.

Democrats complain that the administration has refused to give them information they need to decide whether Mr. Bolton is the right man for the job.

– Associated Press